Imagine walking into a classroom where you can choose how you want to learn: face-to-face, live online, or even catch up later at your own pace. That’s exactly what Mapúa University, one of the Philippines’ leading engineering and technology schools, offers through its HyFlex teaching and learning framework, known as Tri-X (Triple Experience).
This partnership with Cisco to launch the country’s first digital classrooms is not just a step forward: it is a giant leap into the future of education, powered by artificial intelligence and cutting-edge collaboration tools. And all thanks to Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) program.
“The future of education is here and our learning modalities at Mapúa are breaking barriers by creating unlimited opportunities for personalized and accessible learning. We are excited about this next chapter of our partnership with Cisco to enable students to achieve better learning outcomes with greater flexibility and personalized learning with our digital classrooms. This is a great step towards our vision of fostering sustainable socioeconomic growth through innovation, digital transformation and lifelong education,” said Dr. Dodjie S. Maestrecampo, President and CEO of Mapúa University.
The tools behind the transformation
The future of education is changing and hybrid learning is opening up enormous opportunities to increase access and drive continued engagement with students. Technology is a great facilitator in building bridges towards limitless learning.
That’s why we’re incorporating tools designed for connectivity and collaboration: Cisco Webex Meeting Suite leverages AI for high-quality, secure, and inclusive virtual meetings. Webex Boards, as a turbocharged whiteboard for the digital age, and Meraki Smart Cameras for real-time data and enhanced security.
With the use of technology, teachers can incorporate a variety of teaching methods that were not possible before, such as online lectures, interactive exercises, and virtual field trips. This has led to a more student-centered approach, where teachers can adapt their lessons to meet the unique needs and interests of each student.
“The Cisco technology that we are now using in the classroom is very innovative and useful for all students because it offers a more inclusive and flexible way of learning, especially because Mapúa serves students from different places in the country,” –Mapúa University student.
So what exactly makes these digital classrooms so special? Let’s break it down:
Webex Dashboards: Interactive whiteboards that allow students and teachers to join video conferences, use digital whiteboards, annotate shared content, and translate 13 languages into over 100 languages in real time.
AI-powered features: Background noise removal that optimizes speaker voices and people’s focus and automatically crops videos of remote participants so they can be seen more clearly so hybrid classes feel more connected and immersive.
AI-generated meeting summaries: Did you miss a class? No problem! AI-generated summaries include highlights, chapters, and action items, so you can get up to speed in no time.
Meraki smart cameras: These cameras capture real-time or pre-recorded classroom images from different angles, making remote students feel like they are there, in the room.
Top-notch security– Webex ensures enterprise-grade protection with built-in encryption and compliance, safeguarding all communications.
Pioneering digital education in the Philippines
In the dynamic landscape of the Philippines, education is the key to national progress. Amidst rapid change and uncertainty, an innovative partnership was born between Cisco and Mapúa University under UGNAYAN 2030, Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) program in the Philippines. This collaboration means more than just a technological advance; It is about being pioneers in the country’s main digital university.
Mapúa University now has five digital classrooms across its Intramuros and Makati campuses, with plans to expand to Laguna and Davao. These smart classrooms will be used for lectures, extracurricular activities and inter-campus planning sessions. This is just the beginning of Mapúa’s journey to becoming a full-fledged smart campus. The next phase? Make education accessible across borders and drive an internationalized educational experience for students.
Cisco’s CDA program is a long-term partnership with national leadership, industry, and academia. By accelerating the national digitalization agenda, the country will increase GDP, create new jobs, and foster innovation and education in the public and private sectors. In the Philippines, this takes the form of UGNAYAN 2030, which aims to build greater digital resilience through a framework of collaboration with government agencies, industry partners and academia. For Cisco, the objective is clear: build the foundations of digital resilience in each administration, despite any calamity.
UGNAYAN 2030 focuses on three key pillars:
- Connectivity: building a high-speed, reliable information highway.
- Collaboration: Create an integrated and inclusive ecosystem.
- Cybersecurity: network security and data protection.
Together, Mapúa and Cisco are not only transforming education but also shaping the future of the Philippines.
“Technology is transforming the way we work, learn and live. We are excited to support Mapúa University’s transformative journey to become a leading innovation hub using cutting-edge teaching and learning methods under UGNAYAN 2030. By helping the university leverage AI and inclusive collaboration tools in the classroom, we are closing the learning gap, improving student access and ensuring quality education for all students nationwide so that no one is left behind,” –Zaza Soriano-Nicart, CEO of Cisco Philippines.
A vision for 2030 and beyond
As Cisco continues its journey, its mission extends beyond revolutionizing education. It aspires to contribute to the transformation of the Philippines into a smart, safe and connected nation, a beacon of progress and innovation.
Cisco Digital Classrooms are not simply a feature; will help the Philippines realize its vision for 2030. The use of these technologies amplifies its institutional capabilities and positions Mapúa University and the Philippine education system as pioneers in global educational innovation.
Together, Mapúa and Cisco will not only transform education but the entire landscape of the Philippines. It’s not just about technology; It’s about the future, and the future is now.
Therefore, we must break barriers, create opportunities and drive sustainable growth. The future of education is bright and it is happening right now. And it’s all thanks to Cisco National Digital Acceleration (CDA) program. Are you ready to be part of this? look at the video to learn more about this transformative collaboration.
Share:
